Ahead of one of the most
intriguing Manchester derbies in recent memory at the Etihad stadium on
Sunday - with new-look line-ups and new faces in the dug-out -
Sportsmail columnist Martin Keown picked his composite Manchester dream
team.
City manager Manuel
Pellegrini has spent more than £90million adding the likes of Jesus
Navas, Stevan Jovetic, Alvaro Negredo and Fernandinho to his
star-studded squad, but not a single summer transfer makes the grade.
First blood: David Moyes (left) and Manuel Pellegrini will have their first taste of the Manchester derby
However, David Moyes' old Everton
warrior Marouane Fellaini muscles in alongside City's midfield machine
Yaya Toure in the middle, with Michael Carrick's crisp and metronomic
passing ticking things over.
Up
front, a holy trinity of Sergio Aguero, Robin van Persie and prodigal
son Wayne Rooney means this composite side would score plenty of goals.
Here is Keown's Manchester dream team, and the reasons for his selection:
4-3-3 (Formation)
David De Gea (Manchester United)
I'm basing my selections on early-season form - not on what happened
last season - and for that reason he just gets in ahead of Joe Hart.
Between the sticks: David de Gea's start to the season ensures he makes it in ahead of Joe Hart
Rock solid: Manchester City's Pablo Zabaleta (top) is the obvious choice at right-back
THE MIDFIELD
Yaya Toure
(Manchester City)
He walks into the team (possibly any team) because he is such a power
house. As always, he will take some stopping on Sunday afternoon.
Michael Carrick (Manchester United)
Simply so important for making the United midfield tick and keeping the tempo of the side up at the level Moyes wants it to be.
Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United)
He seems to be taking minimal time to adapt to life at Old Trafford,
which is a sign of his ability. He is so versatile and can attack as well as he defends.
Pass master: Michael Carrick keeps David Moyes' United midfield ticking over
Dynamo: City talisman Yaya Toure (left), challenging Plzen's Milan Petrzela, walks into the side
New signing: The capture of Marouane Fellaini has been questioned, but he has adapted well
THE STRIKERS
Sergio Aguero
(Manchester City)
What an exceptional player. He has everything - pace, vision and a great
first touch. He also seems to relish the big occasion.
Robin van Persie (Manchester United)
The best striker in the Premier League. Simple.
Wayne Rooney
(Manchester United)
After another troublesome summer, he looks to be back in form. And when
Rooney is back in form you have to find space for him in your team.
THE OVERALL SCORE: United - 7 players, City - 4 players
...and who would take charge?
David Moyes (Manchester United)
Just. Both managers have had a slow start to the season but
United’s fixture list has been more difficult. And Moyes deserves the nod for
getting Wayne Rooney back on track – smiling and scoring.
Exceptional: City striker Sergio Aguero's pace, vision and technique would be an asset to any side
Number one: United's Robin van Persie is the best striker in the Premier League
Back with a bang: Wayne Rooney is in form after a problematic summer at Old Trafford
Tough task: But Moyes just edges it into the manager's hotseat ahead of Pellegrini
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